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Cobb Mediation, LLC is now The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. More information We will be closed on November 27, 28, December 25, 26 for the holidays. We are proud to introduce Christopher Annunziata as the newest member of our Panel of Neutrals. Mr. Annunziata (A-nun-zi-ata) is an attorney who litigated commercial, employment, insurance coverage and corporate matters at a major international law firm prior to opening a full time mediation and arbitration practice. See our latest findings: Empirical Analysis of Mediation Comments are welcome. The Historic Anderson Mansion will be a featured destination on this year's Marietta Pilgrimmage Christmas Home Tour and will be the site of this year’s Marietta Olde Marietta Tearoom. Visit us Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th from 10 am to 4 pm. We recently hosted a special event for Marietta's Strand Theater. Attendees were treated to a preview of the restored Strand Theater and an opportunity to buy season tickets before they went on sale to the general public. See photographs of Strand Event. The Center for Legal Solutions Director Barry Edwards' Article on Comprehensive Arbitration of Domestic Relations Cases in Georgia appears in the latest issue of the Georgia Bar Journal. These web sites offer more information about mediation: International Academy of Collaborative Professionals: An international community of professionals creating a client-centered process for resolving conflict. Rutgers Conflict Resolution Law Journal More ADR links

About the Author: This research report on Opportunities in the ADR Field in Georgia was compiled by Jennifer Matte. Ms. Matte is Vermont Law School graduate. During law school, she completed an externship with the Consortium for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. Her work with The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. has primarily focused on the emergence of specializations within the ADR community. Questions and comments regarding this research may be directed to jmatte@vermontlaw.edu. For More Information: Georgia Rules & Regulations 36-36-114 et seq.: For the Dept. of Community Affair's Mediation of Interjurisdictional Conflicts Program Georgia Department of Community Affairs Web Site Opportunities with the Department of Community Affairs: Interjurisdictional Conflicts Mediation Program This program covers disputes concerning the effect of an objection to land use following a rezoning and the minimum procedures for addressing relates issues The mechanism is put in place to facilitate coordinated planning between counties and municipalities, particularly with respect to areas contiguous to municipal boundaries Municipal corporations contact the governing authority of the county and present an annexation petition The county authority may vote to object to the annexation No later than 15 days after an objection is declared, an arbitration panel will be appointed The arbitration panel will meet and receive evidence and argument from the municipal corporation, the county, and the applicant/property owner Majority vote will render a decision that is binding on all parties to the dispute The arbitration panel is effectively dissolved on the 10th day after findings are rendered Appeal may be made to the Superior Court of the County Who administers the program? The program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Who performs the mediation? How is this determined? The arbitration panel is composed of 5 members The Dept of Community Affairs develops 3 pools of arbitrators Pool 1: Persons who are currently municipal elected officials or have served in the previous six years Pool 2: Persons who are currently county elected officials or have served in the previous six years Pool 3: Persons with a master’s degree or higher in public administration or planning who are currently employed by an institution of higher learning in the state The Department will choose (at random) 4 names from pool 1, 4 names from pool 2, 3 names from pool 3. What are the requirements for training in order to mediate these disputes? People eligible to serve on the pools must receive joint training in alternative dispute resolution together with zoning and land use training (The bill states that this training may be designed and overseen by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government in conjunction with the Assoc. of County Commissioners and the GA Municipal Association) What is the pay rate for a mediator of this type? How is payment structured? The members of the panel will receive the same per diem expenses and allowances for their services as is authorized for members of interim legislative study committees Additional Information on State Requirements: Georgia Supreme Court ADR Rules, Appendix B: Requirements for Training and Qualification of Neutrals Ethics Information from the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Neutral Registration: From the GCDR State Approved Training Programs: Indexed by Type of Training Additional Information on Local Requirements: Clayton Judicial Circuit ADR Rules: See Rule 6: Qualification of Neutrals Cobb County Superior Court Mediation Program: Mediator Qualifications for Certification Cobb County Superior Court Mediation Program: Case Evaluator Qualifications Dekalb County Dispute Resolution Program Policies and Procedure Gwinnett ADR Program Internal Operating Procedures See Rule 1.5: Neutral Qualifications 6th JAD ADR Program Rules and Procedures: See Rule 9: Neutral Qualifications 7th Judicial Administrative District: Mediator Qualifications 9th Judicial Administrative District ADR Rules See Rule 5: Neutral Qualifications for Service in the Program

The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. 65 Whitlock Avenue Marietta, Georgia 30064 Phone: 770-693-3470   Fax: 770-419-4464